Nearly 140 million Christians suffered high levels of hostility in Asia last year, a region the report describes as ‘the new hotbed of persecution’, while experts say China seems to be trying to turn the group ‘weak, small and invisible’

Nearly 140 million Christians suffered high levels of hostility in Asia last year, a region the report describes as ‘the new hotbed of persecution’, while experts say China seems to be trying to turn the group ‘weak, small and invisible’

Laos was meant to go opium-free after a 2006 edict by its Communist leadership outlawed the growing of the cash crop. While the campaign made a big dent, hill tribes kept up cultivation in secret for themselves – and for export, also becoming drug runners for organised crime gangs.

Laos was meant to go opium-free after a 2006 edict by its Communist leadership outlawed the growing of the cash crop. While the campaign made a big dent, hill tribes kept up cultivation in secret for themselves – and for export, also becoming drug runners for organised crime gangs.

Growing demand for food will increase greenhouse gas emissions from 2.9 billion tonnes of CO2 per year to 5.4 billion tonnes – the equivalent of the lifetime emissions of 95 million cars, according to researchers

Growing demand for food will increase greenhouse gas emissions from 2.9 billion tonnes of CO2 per year to 5.4 billion tonnes – the equivalent of the lifetime emissions of 95 million cars, according to researchers

Chinese nationals already make up about 11 per cent of visitors to Laos. When the railway is finished, that figure is expected to rise dramatically, bringing challenges and opportunities for the country.

Chinese nationals already make up about 11 per cent of visitors to Laos. When the railway is finished, that figure is expected to rise dramatically, bringing challenges and opportunities for the country.

On July 23, floodwaters from a failed dam swallowed entire villages, killing 39 people and displacing thousands. It was not the result of heavy rains, but a man-made disaster caused by rampant development, experts say

On July 23, floodwaters from a failed dam swallowed entire villages, killing 39 people and displacing thousands. It was not the result of heavy rains, but a man-made disaster caused by rampant development, experts say

The torrent of water unleashed in a deadly Laos dam collapse has drained into Cambodia, forcing thousands to be evacuated, as rescuers on Thursday battled monsoon rains to find scores of Laotians still missing after whole villages were washed away.

The torrent of water unleashed in a deadly Laos dam collapse has drained into Cambodia, forcing thousands to be evacuated, as rescuers on Thursday battled monsoon rains to find scores of Laotians still missing after whole villages were washed away.

The sanctuary that will house up to 150 rescued bears is under construction in the hills outside Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos, where the NGO saves bears from the pet trade and bear bile farms

The sanctuary that will house up to 150 rescued bears is under construction in the hills outside Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos, where the NGO saves bears from the pet trade and bear bile farms

At MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary & Tours, visitors can walk with elephants, feed and splash them – but they can’t ride these retired work animals, whose back-breaking days of hefting heavy logs and howdahs full of tourists are over

At MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary & Tours, visitors can walk with elephants, feed and splash them – but they can’t ride these retired work animals, whose back-breaking days of hefting heavy logs and howdahs full of tourists are over